In the mid 70’s, YAMAHA started to produce imitation of Gibson and Fender. The SL series were line up of Gibson Les Paul copy model. SL-1200 sit on the throne of SL series.

SL series consists of the early version started from the mid 70’s and the late version from around 1980. The early version had pancake body with lacquer finish, and the late version had full thickness back with urethane finish. Neck material is maple or mahogany in both period.

They are distinguishable by the model name. If “s” or “c” is added to the tail of model name on the rod cover, it means the late version.

SL-1200 and SL-1000 are only in the early version. The flagship of the late version was SL-800S, so SL-1200/1000 had no descendants.

Three-layer multiple-slab body, 2-piece hard maple top, mahogany neck, ebony for fingerboard, pearl oyster inlays were applied. Pickups had no name then. 4.49(includes strings). (updated 2016.8.28)